Naval officer targets London Games

UP FOR IT: Acting petty officer (electronic warfare specialist) Karl Shearsby, Featherston, is competing in the Invictus Games in London in September. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Give it our all, is Karl Shearsby's motto for the upcoming Invictus Games in London.

Acting petty officer Shearsby, a naval electronic warfare specialist from Featherston, is part of a 12-person team representing New Zealand for the Invictus Games, an international sporting competition for the injured, wounded and sick service personnel.

More than 400 servicemen and women from 14 countries will compete at the Olympic Village in Stratford, London, from September 10 to 14.

The Invictus Games is about using sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect of those who serve their country.

Under the criteria, a variety of mobility and performance is allowed, from those in wheelchairs to those who were wounded but now completely healed. Or, in Shearsby's case, those with an illness.

He has psoriatic arthritis, which attacks the joints or, in his words "turns the body against itself.

"Mine is mobile, starts in one joint one day, then another joint.

"It affects my whole body."

Shearsby said they were only a small team - the Americans had around 100 - but they will give it their all and compete in as many events as possible.

"I'm an expert in nothing," he said.

He will taking on the 50m swimming freestyle, but, unsurprisingly in the military, he's discovered he's been "volunteered" for the 50m freestyle relay.

He will also tackle the archery, shotput, indoor rowing, volleyball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball.

Shearsby, 42, started his military career in the army but carrying a pack became problematic when his illness was diagnosed. He now works for the navy, in Joint Forces Headquarters at Upper Hutt.

He likes Featherston for the climate and the house prices, he said. Plus it feels right - he grew up on a farm.